Thomson

It’s a heck of a way to run a pre-election campaign. On the eve of an expected election, politicians usually spend their time playing up good news, downplaying the bad, shaking hands and kissing babies.

Industrial technologies teacher Craig Hamner, right, works with students Dallas Exner, centre, and Mark Jaye Sapad in November 2012 at the science and technology lab of Father Patrick Mercredi High School in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Photograph by: Greg Halinda
, Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON - Dallas Exner and Mark Jaye Sapad are in Grade 11, but they have already used the same equipment operated by electricians, millwrights and power engineers.

Exner and Jaye Sapad are students at Fort McMurray’s Father Mercredi High School, where a multi-lab science and technology centre opened in September 2011, housing state-of-the-art equipment more commonly seen in post-secondary institutions.

In addition to hardware trainers that allow students to develop technical skills on industry-standard machines, there are virtual trainers with simulator technology. All Grade 10 students take an introductory course in industrial technologies to learn about electrical, millwright, instrumentation, power engineering and other trades. There are also engineering, IT and health-sciences labs.

Exner and Jaye Sapad took the beginner industrial technologies course last year and are now enrolled in the advanced class.

“Instead of sitting there and getting confused about how the equipment operates, I’m getting hands-on experience right now,” said Exner, 17. “At any other high school, you’re likely learning from a book, but it’s more useful here to have access to the equipment.”

Exner wants to be a machinist and plans to enter the high school’s Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) next year. He will learn a trade while working toward his high-school diploma and plans to continue his education at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Jaye Sapad, 16, wants to be an electrician. He worked with a Fort McMurray electrical company last summer and is still employed there two days a week. He likes that the equipment he uses on the job is the same as in the classroom.

“It’s giving me an advantage to be able to have the experience in the classroom and take that into the workplace,” said Jaye Sapad, who moved to Fort McMurray with his family from the Philippines last year.

Craig Hamner, industrial technologies teacher at Father Mercredi, said it’s important the school provides options for students considering the trades.

“We’re still in that day and age where everyone is saying kids have to get to university, but that’s not necessarily the case. These trades programs are something else we can offer to students.”

The programs are particularly relevant to Alberta’s looming labour needs.

“People seem to think that trades are for people who are not as smart, but that’s not at all true,” said Tim Kilburn, science and technology consultant at the school. “You need to have strong math skills and a knowledge of physics. The kinds of technological trades that we’re pushing here are the trades that are needed in industry in Alberta.”

Even middle-school students are exposed to pre-engineering, trades and robotics courses in the science and technology centre.

“It allows them to get a look at what’s offered here so when they get to Grade 10 they can consider choosing it,” said Deborah Kitching, science and technology co-ordinator. She has also made sure post-secondary institutions and industry are involved with the centre.

“The partnerships with post-secondary and industry are what makes this absolutely unique,” said Kitching. “They’re in here showing students where they can go after.”

Industrial technologies teacher Craig Hamner, right, works with students Dallas Exner, centre, and Mark Jaye Sapad in November 2012 at the science and technology lab of Father Patrick Mercredi High School in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.